Decision day looms on wheelie bins

Decision day for the introduction wheelie bins is on September 8 at a full meeting of Bradford Council when it is expected councillors will give the go-ahead to the controversial plan.

But Council officers are already surveying streets and houses in Baildon where the new system will be introduced first. This could be as early as five or six weeks after the Council gives its seal of approval.

Eventually wheelie bins will replace traditional dustbins in all the district's 180,000 homes.

As questions about the new system pour into the Telegraph & Argus and Council offices the message from cleansing officers is that there's no need to panic.

The Council plans to introduce the system gradually over the next three years because it is anxious to get things right.

Chairman of the waste management sub committee Councillor Keith Thomson says there will be a dedicated wheelie bin telephone helpline and literature will go through people's doors before the bins arrive telling about demonstrations and road shows.

Councillors and officers say they fully accept that there will be some genuine exceptions - properties which are unsuitable, or difficulties for elderly and disabled people.

But it expects the majority of the population to be using the system - and liking it - by the year 2000.

Because the wheelie system needs fewer staff, cleansing crew will be diverted to street and gulley cleaning.

Coun Thomson said the end of the existing black bag system would also mean cleaner streets - because rubbish would no longer fall out of ripped sacks.

Once the controversial wheelie system has settled down the Council will bring in a new recycling system for families.

The aim is to meet a Government target of recycling 40 per cent of all waste by the year 2004.

Coun Thomson says apart from environmental benefits it will save the Council massive bills. Landfill already costs authorities £10 a tonne and will probably be £25 by then.

Bradford Council answers questions about the wheelie bin system.

Your questions answered

Q Will all the bins be the same size, or will there be smaller bins for small households?

A On the whole we would want to use the standard size of bin - the equivalent of two-and-a-half times an existing dustbin. If you only have a small amount you needn't put your bin out every week.

Q Will all householders have to take their bin to the pavement and bring it back again, or will there be exceptions for elderly/infirm or disabled people?

A There will be exceptions. We recognise the system may be impractical for some types of property and some people will need special consideration. We will be as accommodating as we possibly can with genuine cases. If people are not satisfied there will be an appeal panel made up of councillors who are not connected with the Cleansing Services.

Q If there will be exceptions, how should people apply to be exempt?

A When the system is due to start in your area you will receive detailed information about demonstrations, road shows and so on. You will get the number of a special "wheeled bin line" where you can get the answers to your queries and find out what to do.

Q Will bin liners be provided?

A No. But you can put waste into your own plastic bags as long as they are put in the wheeled bin. We would hope you would be able to put organic waste on your compost heap wherever possible.

Q If no bin liners are to be provided, how will the bins be kept hygienic?

A Wheeled bins are easy to clean and you will get an illustration on how to do this when your bin is supplied.

Q How often will the bins be emptied?

A On a fixed day every week without changes presently caused by bank holidays. The only difference in the day would be at Christmas.

Q What if a householder is going on holiday for a fortnight , leaving a half-filled bin?

A The bin can be left because the containers are tightly sealed, vermin and fly proof.

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